The Nahant Historical Society cordially invites you to the 2019 Patterson Lecture to hear the stories of remarkable Nahant women who willingly joined the U.S. Armed Services in both wartime and peace. Some being thrust into situations they could not have imagined. Their stories are varied. Their reasons for entering the service are unique to them. However, they are all women who wanted to stand up and be counted in and counted on in support of her country, whether it be in times of peace or conflict.
Captain Hammond
The Hammond family summered in Nahant where Susan was a champion sailor and athlete, racing yearly against familiar names like Motley and Hodges in her 23 ft. Star Class. Susan was presented with a unique opportunity when Europe went back to war in 1939. Almost two years before the United States joined the war effort, Susan, fluent in French, was one of the first relief aid drivers chosen by Anne Morgan, the daughter of financier JP Morgan, when she re-launched her Friends ofFrance organization. Susan was recognized for her fearless work in France when she received the Croix de Guerre in Washington, D.C. from the French ambassador.
After giving of themselves in military service, some of these women simply went back to their private lives often times not even sharing their story with close family and friends. That being said, we would like to share the history of these strong women so that the future may know the past.